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President Bush receives top award from United Methodist group(Washington, D.C., December 17) President George W. Bush today received the top United Methodist Church award for his statements of faith and his call for the nation to be in prayer after the attacks on 9-11-01. The award, certifying the President as a member of the Society of John Wesley Fellows, was presented by Gilbert Hanke, national president of United Methodist Men, sponsor of the award through its foundation. Hanke was elected to this volunteer position in 2000, and is a speech/language pathologist in Nacogdoches, Texas working for Nacogdoches Medical Center and Stephen F. Austin State University. After presenting President Bush with a plaque and after receiving permission from him, Hanke offered a prayer. “Being the Christmas Season,” said Hanke, “Our prayer included a request for ‘Peace on Earth and Good Will to all.’” The presentation ceremony followed a decision made two years ago by United Methodist Men from the South Central Jurisdiction after the events of 9/11. The men wanted to find a way to express their appreciation to President Bush's for his actions after the tragedy. The men agreed to make the President a fellow in the in the Society of John Wesley. President Bush is the 426th person to receive this award sponsored by the United Methodist Men Foundation which was created in the early 1980s to insure that scouting ministries (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, and 4-H) would always be a focus of the United Methodist Church. The foundation now supports scouting, evangelistic ministries, a prayer line and other men’s ministries.“The John Wesley Award is given to clergy, laymen and laywomen who have demonstrated their commitment to Christ and their understanding that this faith affects every aspect of their daily life,” said Joe Harris, top staff executive of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. “The recognition of President Bush as a John Wesley fellow emphasizes the significance of this award and honors him for his daily walk with Christ.” During Hanke’s 10-minute visit in the oval office, President Bush gave him a tour of some of the furnishings beginning with the desk made famous in a photo of young John Kennedy Jr. The pair also talked about a piece of calligraphy with the words from a "Charge to Keep I have," framed under a painting of the same name. President Bush remarked that the hymn by Charles Wesley, John Wesley’s brother was sung at his inaugurations as governor of Texas and as President. “And now I have this award named for John Wesley, thank you so much for coming all the way from Texas to give me this.” Bush, a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, sent his greetings and best wishes to the citizens of Nacogdoches, a city that he has visited several times. Hanke told Bush that he was the first President to receive the award. "How many Methodist Presidents have there been?" asked Bush. "I don't know, but you're the best," responded Hanke. "Right answer," the President fired back. Hanke said it had not been snowing when he entered the White House at 12:30 p.m., but by the time he exited the building it was starting to snow. "It was a beautiful sight," he concluded. For more information about the Society of John Wesley Fellows or the ministries of United Methodist Men please refer to John Wesley Award.
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